The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-08-11
Bear Mind the Issues.

While the personal traits and char |
of candidates are subjected |
to criticism, whether merited or not,
there is nothing lost in recognizing |
the claims of opponents to candid and !
fsir estimate and statement as to their |
ability aud character. Few of ordin-
,ry intelligence give credence to The
absurd inferentialisms rs to the moral
status of those henored by their fel
ow citizens as their choice to Gil off
cial positions. the houest performance
of the duties of which alike concerns
us all. whether Democrat, Republican,
or of other political faith. And it is
no less the desire of one party than
another that the men whom they seek
to place in Office should be worthy of
the confidence of the people in their
moral integrity. And while some
journals priding themselves upon their
boasted ability in enlightening the
public on the political tenets and prob
lems of the day seek to prejudice by per
sonal defamation rather than by fair,
logical reasoning, it is we'll to bear in
mind the vital matter of interest-the
issues upon which party fealty and
support are based. Nothing is lost by
candor and statement which courts
Investigation. As to the issues between
the two great parties. stripped of all
reckless Misrepresentation and parti-
san colOring, the naked truth reveals
the following: The Democratic party
is and always has been opposed to
class legislation. Being party com.
posed largely of the great mass of pro-
ducers. it is the natural and only true
home of the laboring man. Never in
it's history has it subjected itself to the
infamy of enacting or attempting to
enact laws that did not affect all citi
zens eqnally. Viewed in the light of
the past and the present, the great is
sue between the Democratie,and Re
publican parties is one of govern
ment of, for and by the people. and a
government in which the rights and
agencies of Justice for the masses shall
be held in allegiance or ignored. On
the one hand is represented Justice
and equal liberty to all; on the other
special rights and privileges to the few,
and system of enforced oppression
to the masses. Especially is the DEM
oeratic party opposed to fostering and
building up gigantic monopolies to
oppress and burden the people, under
the fiimsy guise of protection" The
Democratic party favors tariff sufii
cient to defray the expenses of a gov
ernment economically administered; !;
to pension liberally Union soldiers
and sailors-in which latter there is
no diversity of sentiment. the Repub-
lican press to the contrary-and pay
ment of the public debt. To which
of the two great parties do the people
turn when their rights and liberties
are jeopardized? And to which of
them do the promoters of oppression
in the interest of monopolistic and
monied power, turn in confidence of
lis aid? In the history of past legisla
ton and party sympathy and action is
to be found the answer.
The Democratic party declares that
the war is over, and demands a return
to the arts of peace and cessation of
the reprehensibly partisan attempts
made by Republican demagogs to keep
alive the fires of sectional hatred aud
animosity. 1t recognizes that peace
and good will between the North and
South was one of the great objects Of
the war, and it would have the people
reap the benefits of the immense sac
rifices made 10 secure their enjoyment.
The Repu blican party would sacrifice
reconciliation for partisan ends; fra.
terHal feeling for sectional hate; pat
riotic impulse and devotion to Princi
pie to measures of selfish greed where
by the Itching hand of plunder and
the unrestrained license of official po
sitinn and power. born of ignoble and
purely selfish desires, may usurp and
hold the places from which should be
administered equal and exact justice
to all.